Eutelsat, Star One spat resolved

Earlier this year, fast-expanding Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat won an auction for an orbital position controlled by Brazil (at 69.45 degrees West. SES of Luxembourg and Madrid-based Hispasat also successfully bid for frequencies at the location, and a combined $67.6 million was paid to Brazil’s Anatel regulator.

But Eutelsat’s bid immediately ran into problems in the form of a legal action from Brazil’s own domestic satellite operator Star One. Star One applied to have Eutelsat’s bid thrown out on the basis that Eutelsat had failed to submit a document confirming its taxation position, and that therefore its tax position was unconfirmed.

Anatel rejected the claim, saying that despite the document being missed in Eutelsat’s formal application it had now been submitted, and was satisfactory.

Eutelsat, and the other bid winners, get access to the Brazilian satellite slot and frequencies for a period of 15 years, and an automatic 15-year renewal.